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Review
. 1988 Jan;258(1):38-44.
doi: 10.1038/scientificamerican0188-38.

How killer cells kill

J D Young, Z A Cohn
Review

How killer cells kill

J D Young et al. Sci Am. 1988 Jan.

Abstract

Killer lymphocytes, the commandos of the immune system, attack tumor cells and cells infected by viruses. They kill by secreting protein molecules that link to form pores in target cells; the cells promptly leak to death. Study of the process may make it possible to improve the killers' efficiency in fighting cancer and such viral infections as AIDS.

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